Introduction to Social Role Valorization Course Syllabus September 15-24, 2026 The Keystone Institute 3700 Vartan Way Harrisburg, PA 17110 717-909-9425
www.keystoneinstitute.com Elizabeth (Betsy) Neuville Pamela Seetoo Gabriela Hagiu Matthew Nguyen Courtney Wagner
– eneuville@khs.org – paseetoo@khs.org – ghagiu@khs.org – mnguyen@khs.org – cowagner@khs.org
Course Description: An Introduction to Social Role Valorization: A Framework for Assisting People to Have Full, Rich, and Meaningful Lives
Workshop Leaders: Elizabeth (Betsy) Neuville Pamela Seetoo Gabriela Hagiu Matthew Nguyen Courtney Wagner
Course Overview and Objectives: An Introduction to Social Role Valorization is an intensive workshop which presents the idea of assisting people with disabilities and other devalued conditions to have positive social roles as a productive and helpful response to wounding life experiences. Social Role Valorization is a comprehensive theory which provides insights as to why certain groups of people become devalued in society, what life experiences are likely to befall people once they have become devalued in the eyes of others, why valued social roles are a powerful response in combatting the negative life experiences, and ten essential themes which can guide implementers in pursuing valued social roles by, with, and for those practitioners desire to serve. An Introduction to Social Role Valorization is the foundational course for communicating the theory of Social Role Valorization. This introduction is a pre-requisite to participating in the practicum workshop: An Introduction to PASSING. This foundational material is essential to those wishing to serve others in meaningful ways, and who are impassioned to make a difference in the lives of others. Many participants experience the learning within this event as the most helpful, inspiring, and clarifying body of knowledge they have been exposed to in their professional development, and it assists in long-term understanding and focus on being of service to others in ways that matter. The workshop includes pre-recorded as well as live presentations, small and large group live reflection and discussion, online forums and resource materials. Participants should be prepared for significant presentations. The objectives of this course are to provide better understanding of the negative life experiences of people who have been devalued and the implications of those life experiences, as well as to provide a framework which can serve as a foundational guide for those who are committed to the work of making life better for devalued people.
Learning Resources: Each participant of this workshop will receive a print and pdf version of the main workshop text, An Introduction to Social Role Valorization Resource Manual for a Comprehensive SRV Workshop. This manual includes: Program – o Welcome Letter o Course Syllabus o Faculty Bios o Preparatory Participant Assignment for the Introduction to Social Role Valorization Workshop Resource Materials – Poems Articles A Selected Bibliography on Social Role Valorization SRV Journal Order Form ISRVA Membership Information Small Groups/Assignments Presentation Materials – Most of the Slides from the Presentation Modules SRV Graduate Resources – SRV Action Options Graduate Reflection Questions Suggestions for Potential Follow-Up Keystone Institute Library Information Web Resources for Social Role Valorization The Keystone Institute YouTube Channel – This channel will hold all of the pre-recorded video modules needed for course assignments. Links will be provided for each of the assignments for your convenience in Google Classroom. Google Classroom: This course will utilize Google Classroom as the central hosting platform for all aspects of the course. This syllabus as well as the course schedule will be posted on Google Classroom for participant use, all assignments are outlined in detail, and all links for live sessions.
Participant Expectations: This course is a collection of live plenary sessions, small group work, pre-recorded video sessions, and online forum posting. In order to receive credit for the Introduction to Social Role Valorization workshop, it is expected that all participants will attend every session and complete every assignment.
As this is a professional workshop, participants are expected to conduct themselves professionally while in session, with the same standards that apply to face-to-face workshops. This means that participants are expected to dress appropriately for a professional setting, be seated at a table or desk and in view of their camera during the length of the live sessions. The equipment which is required for the course is a laptop or a tablet, to assure each person has full technological capability and visibility for the course work. In addition, a reasonably strong internet connection which will allow full participation will be needed. Participants are expected to be free from other work responsibilities during the live sessions, and to do the best they can to minimize interruption. Significant coursework will be assigned outside of the live plenary sessions. A detailed list of course assignments for both week one and week two is provided below the course schedule. Please read thoroughly in order to make sure that you are able to be present for every session as well as fulfill every assignment. Faculty of the workshop will be available and happy to assist as much as possible with any questions or concerns you might have about the course material as well as any concerns you may have about the technological aspects of the workshop. Participants who attend all live sessions and complete all assignments will receive a certificate verifying the completion of the course.
Course Schedule: Week 1 Day 1
Tuesday, September 15
Day 2
Wednesday, September 16
Day 3
Thursday, September 17
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Live Zoom Session + Independent Assignment ~ 2 hours 9:00 AM – 2:15 PM | Live Zoom Session + Independent Assignment ~1 hour 30 minutes 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM | Live Zoom Session Week 2
Day 4
Tuesday, September 22
Day 5
Wednesday, September 23
Day 6
Thursday, September 24
9:00 AM – 12:30 PM | Live Zoom Session + Independent Assignment: ~45 minutes 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM | Live Zoom Session + Independent Assignment ~ 30 minutes 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM | Live Zoom Session
Online Format Course Assignments
Week 1 Day 1 - Tuesday, September 15, 2026 9:00AM– 1:00 PM
Live Zoom This live plenary session welcomes learners and introduces Sessions participants to the workshop. Included is a history of the theory of Social Role Valorization, a presentation on what our culture values and the definition of societal devaluation. We will introduce the wounding life experiences of devalued people. Manual pages 67-83
Independent Assignment
Participants will watch a pre-recorded session prior to the plenary meeting on Day 2. This session addresses “The Most Common Wounds of Devalued People”, the response patterns that those wounds engender, and some concluding points. Manual Pages: 76–77, 82–103 *These are difficult issues and learners should be aware that time will be given to discuss and reflect on them in the following live meeting.
Day 2 - Wednesday September 16, 2026 9:00AM– 2:15PM
Live Zoom This session includes a live presentation, small and large group Sessions discussions, and reflective exercises. It begins with structured discussion and time for questions about the presentation on the wounding life experiences of devalued people. Participants will then break into small groups for reflection, sharing, and discussion. Before concluding the topic of devaluation, there will be a brief reflection on “The Universality of Oppression” and a facilitated exercise titled “My Favorite Devalued People.” Manual Pages: 104–106 After the lunch break, participants will rejoin for an approximately one-hour live presentation on Social Role Valorization as a response to devaluation Manual Pages: 107–121 This will be followed by a live presentation introducing the 10 core themes of SRV, along with the culturally valued analogue. Manual Pages: 122–126
Independent Assignment
Participants will view a 1.5-hour pre-recorded presentation on the Theme of Unconsciousness.
Manual pages 127-135
Day 3 - Thursday, September 17, 2026 9:00AM– 2:30PM
Live Zoom Participants will join Zoom for a welcome followed by a small group Sessions session on the Theme of Unconsciousness. The small group session will be followed by a live presentation on the theme of Conservatism Corollary. Manual pages 136-142 After a break for lunch participants will re-join Zoom for a small group session focusing on the Conservatism Corollary. Manual pages SG3-6 The day will end with live presentations on the themes of Interpersonal Identification and Mindsets & Expectancies. Manual pages 143-149
Week 2 Day 4 - Tuesday, September 22, 2026 9:00AM– 12:30PM
Live Zoom Participants will join a plenary session for a live presentation Sessions covering the Theme of Role Expectancy and Role Circularity, which will incorporate both small group and large group discussion. Manual pages 150-154 The Theme of Symbolism and Imagery Use will be presented live, followed by instructions for an independent assignment to be completed before joining the workshop again on February 4 th. Manual Pages 160-162
Independent Assignment
Individual Assignment- participants will break from the live session and research some examples of imagery use. Each participant will return to the live session on September 23 rd with at least one example of imagery use relating to vulnerable people to share with their small group and analyze in a small group session.
Day 5 - Wednesday, September 23, 2026 9:00AM– 12:00PM
Live Zoom Participants join a small group session to share their imagery Sessions examples and work through an analysis using the channels through which imagery is conveyed. Following the small group session, each group will present an example of their work to the large group. Participants will rejoin the plenary session for a live presentation on the Theme of Model Coherency & Relevance & Potency. Manual pages 170-177. The presentation will be followed by a large group session aimed at practicing Model Coherency analysis.
Independent Assignment
1:30PM– 2:30PM
Participants will watch a pre-recorded presentation on the Personal Competency Enhancement and Developmental Model. Manual Pages 178-192.
Live Zoom Participants watch and discuss “Living the Dream” together in a live Sessions session. Live presentation of the theme of Imitation and Modeling.
Day 6 - Thursday, September 24, 2026 9:00AM– 12:30PM
Live Zoom Participants will attend a live presentation on the final theme of Sessions Personal Social Integration and Valued Societal Participation. Incorporated into this presentation will be a video example of excellent use of integration and discussion on its benefits to people with and without disabilities, to those facilitating integration and to society as a whole. Manual Pages 200-215. Participants will join their final small group session for reflection and discussion on implementing SRV and individual action commitments for moving forward. Participants return to the large group session for closing thoughts and workshop closing.